Gallup Poll Finds Institutional Trust Near Historic Low

A Gallup telephone survey conducted June 1-15 2024 of 1,001 U.S. adults shows that only 27 percent expressed either great-deal or average confidence in the nation’s 14 surveyed institutions. That figure is one point lower than the previous year and just above the record low recorded in 2023. Confidence in the presidency stands at 27 percent, while Congress registers the lowest confidence at 9 percent.

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Gallup has tracked Americans’ confidence in major institutions since 1993, using a consistent methodology that yields a margin of error of ±4 percentage points. Over the past three decades, public confidence has fluctuated, but the current levels represent the lowest aggregate confidence since the poll’s inception.

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• Military: 61 percent confidence, the highest among the 14 entities.

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• Police, church and organized religion, banks, and the medical system round out the top five, yet none achieve a majority.

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• Private-sector institutions such as big business and organized labor also fall below 50 percent confidence.

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• Presidential approval: Decision Desk HQ’s running average places former President Donald Trump’s approval at 42.5 percent, with disapproval at 54.9 percent, reflecting a broader trend of low institutional favorability.

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The poll underscores a pervasive skepticism toward both public and private pillars of American society. Low confidence in Congress and the presidency may hinder legislative cooperation and public compliance with policy initiatives. Similarly, diminished trust in the police, media, and the medical system could affect civic engagement, public health measures, and the perceived legitimacy of law-enforcement actions.

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• “The American public’s trust in major institutions is near an all-time low, according toa recent Gallup poll.” — Gallup

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• “Of those 14 entities, the military garnered confidence from the largest share of respondents, at 61 percent.” — Gallup

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• “As for Congress and the presidency, 9 percent and 27 percent of respondents had confidence in those entities, respectively.” — Gallup

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